Meet Ikuko
My name is Ikuko and I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) as a qualified psychotherapist specialising in personal
development and self-care.
I have a Masters degree in Relationship Therapy from the Relate Institute and have previously worked for Relate, the ‘Relationship People‘. I have also trained to work with Boarding School
Survivors.
My interest lies in how people form and maintain connections and intimacy with others. I have a particular interest in supporting the development of a healthy relationship to the self and looking at the life of the person holistically and systemically.
I first became interested in counselling while I was volunteering at Home-Start, where they offered a counselling skills course. Ever since I have been continuing in professional and personal development.
Individual therapy with a relational focus
If you have any relationship difficulties, you might benefit from having someone to talk to. Right now I'm interested in and focused on our relationship with our Self.
Relationship therapy is slightly different from general counselling in that the approach is more systemic than any other approaches and theories.
What this means is that I look at the family system as a whole, so I would ask you about your family of origin and what your experiences were like as a child and growing up. Often we learn as children to imitate the adults in our lives and when we become adults, we automatically do what we had observed. We may draw a genogram (family tree) together to identify any themes and patterns of relating.
Counselling and psychotherapy provide an opportunity to talk to someone who is impartial, in a safe and confidential environment. You may find that it is a relief to be able to share your most personal, intimate thoughts and feelings, when you don’t want to burden your friends and family.
It is also an opportunity to gain insight and self-awareness, in order to lead a more fulfilling life. Many people find it a positive, life-changing experience. I believe it is the best way of finding our authentic self and therefore the best GIFT we can give ourselves.
Supervision
I offer holistic and integrative supervision to qualified and trainee counsellors / psychotherapists working with individual adults, couples and families.
I work with the Hawkins and Shohet’s seven-eyed model of supervision, which appreciatively unpicks and explores the relationships between clients, supervisee, supervisor and the field in which we all operate. I use metaphors, imagery, body and other creative ways to work with you.
I believe supervision is a collaborative endeavour with an emphasis on self-care, support, authenticity and relationships. I will encourage, challenge and support you to bring your authentic self in the work as a counsellor / therapist in an appreciative manner. I will provide a safe, confidential space to reflect on your work, our relationship, any difficulties and to facilitate those difficult conversations.
